Save the date! On Friday, February 4th, Island-wide Episcopalians are invited to “Come Home for Supper”— a time to share good food and friendship in small groups at the homes of parishioners from each church. Look for the poster and sign up sheet at your church. For more information, including details on hosting, please call Rita Redfield – 244-4025, Elaine Theriault – 244-946l, Diane Phipps – 664-3204, Dick Salisbury – 664-0116, or Dorothy Clunan – 244-5645.

St. Mary’s and St. Jude’s:

Contemplative Prayer/Book Study isled by The Rev. Patricia Robertson, 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays the Somesville Meeting House,Parish Hall.We are currently reading Richard Rohr’s “Everything Belongs”. This study/prayer group is open to anyone interested.

St. Saviour’s Parish:

The church office will be closed this week.

St. John’s:

The church office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-2:30. If you have questions or need assistance at other times, please call Ted Fletcher (244-3115) or Ann Cox Halkett (288-5832).

African Bible Study: Father Appleyard will be out of commission due to knee surgery for a few weeks, so the group has elected to take a break until January 13th.

Annual Meeting: January 23rd.

Church of Our Father:

Thursday, January 6—Feast of the Epiphany — 5:30 pm MDI joint Holy Eucharist at Church of Our Father, followed by a potluck (St. John members should bring desserts) and discussion on the MDI Collaboration.

The Alpha Course will meet in the Neighborhood House, NortheastHarbor, on Sunday evenings, 5-7:30 pm, starting Sunday, February 27 and lasting for 10 weeks, with an overnight getaway in the middle. FMI contact the Rev. Chuck Bradshaw at the Church of Our Father, 288-4849.

Bar Harbor UCC

Guided meditation group meets in the library at 2:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings at 7:00. On the fourth Wednesday of each month the group meets at 6:00 PM. Please come if you have a desire to study Scripture more closely and learn some positive techniques for relaxation.

Pledge Cards: Just a reminder for those parishioners who have not yet sent in their 2011 pledges to please not forget, despite all of the holiday "bustle".

Give thanks for the lives of Albert Trethaway (Diane Krueger’s father) who died December 26th in Macungie, Pennsylvania; and Joyce Norwood, who died December 28th. Please keep their family and friends in your prayers.

Military Deaths (December 17-24)

Afghanistan: Eric Torbert Jr, Conrado Javier Jr., William Crouse IV.

Prayer for the Community of St. Andrew & St. John

Gracious God, we offer thanks for our parish, for your inspiration, and for the spirit of ministry which is our heritage. We acknowledge your call to continue serving each other and the people in our community through open hearts and open doors. Guide us all, especially our Capital Campaign and Design & Construction Committees and Vestry, as we seek funding and plan expansion of the facilities, including accessibility for all at St. John. Inspire us to share faithfully the love that you have revealed to us through the ministry and sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Contemplative Prayer/Book Study isled by The Rev. Patricia Robertson, on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:15 pm at the Somesville Meeting House,Parish Hall. In addition to prayer, we will be learning about the contemplative perspective and life through reading interesting authors. This study/prayer group is open to anyone interested, so bring your friends.

St. Saviour's Parish:

A Christmas gift from St. Saviour's:Christmas Day, St. Saviour's is sponsoring two hours on WBACH: 104.7, 106.9 or 107.7 from 2-3pm and 6-7 pm. After the busy morning, tune in and enjoy some lovely Christmas relaxation and hear Jonathan Appleyard's wonderful message of the season in the name of all the Episcopal Churches on the Island!

St. John's:

The church office will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-2:30. If you have questions or need assistance at other times, please call Ted Fletcher (244-3115) or Ann Cox Halkett (288-5832).

African Bible Study: Father Appleyard will be out of commission due to knee surgery for a few weeks, so the group has elected to take a break until January 13th.

Church of Our Father:

Thursday, January 6—Feast of the Epiphany — 5:30 pm MDI joint Holy Eucharist at Church of Our Father, followed by a potluck and discussion on the MDI Collaboration

The Alpha Course will meet in the Neighborhood House, Northeast Harbor, on Sunday evenings, 5-7:30 pm, starting Sunday, February 27 and lasting for 10 weeks, with an overnight getaway in the middle. FMI contact the Rev. Chuck Bradshaw at the Church of Our Father, 288-4849.

Bar Harbor UCC

Guided meditation group meets in the library at 2:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings at 7:00. On the fourth Wednesday of each month the group meets at 6:00 PM. Please come if you have a desire to study Scripture more closely and learn some positive techniques for relaxation.

Pledge Cards: Just a reminder for those parishioners who have not yet sent in their 2011 pledges to please not forget, despite all of the holiday "bustle".

Gracious God, we offer thanks for our parish, for your inspiration, and for the spirit of ministry which is our heritage. We acknowledge your call to continue serving each other and the people in our community through open hearts and open doors. Guide us all, especially our Capital Campaign and Design & Construction Committees and Vestry, as we seek funding and plan expansion of the facilities, including accessibility for all at St. John. Inspire us to share faithfully the love that you have revealed to us through the ministry and sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

First Coming by Madeleine L'Engle

He did not wait till the world was ready, till men and nations were at peace. He came when the Heavens were unsteady, and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time. He came when the need was deep and great. He dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine. He did not wait

till hearts were pure. In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt. To a world like ours, of anguished shame he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh, to heal its tangles, shield its scorn. In the mystery of the Word made Flesh the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane to raise our songs with joyful voice, for to share our grief, to touch our pain, He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

Christmas Flowers: St. John's will be decorating the sanctuary for Christmas. If you would like to make a donation in honor of or in memory of friends or relatives, please send your checks along with the names you wish to remember to the church office. (Please designate "Christmas Flowers" on your check.)

Caroling at the Straus Center - St. John Singers and other hardy choristers are invited to sing carols at the Straus Center at 10:30 on Monday, December 20. Hymnals will be available. Please arrive a few minutes early to get organized. Questions? Call Fred Benson at 288-9892.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES ON MDI

St. Saviour's Parish

December 24 - 4:00 pm, Eucharist with Carols

10:00 pm, Midnight Choral Eucharist

December 25 - 10:00 am, Christmas Holy Eucharist

December 26 - 7:30 and 10:00 am, Holy Eucharist

St. Mary's and St. Jude's

December 24 - 4:00 pm, Family Service

Church of Our Father

December 24 - 4:00 pm, Christmas Eve Service

December 25 - 9:00 am, Christmas Day Service

December 26 - 7:30 and 10:00 am, Holy Eucharist

St. Andrew and St. John

December 24 - 5:00 pm, Holy Eucharist

December 25 - 10:00 am, Holy Eucharist

December 26 - 10:00 am, Holy Eucharist

Prayer for the Community of St. Andrew & St. John

Gracious God, we offer thanks for our parish, for your inspiration, and for the spirit of ministry which is our heritage. We acknowledge your call to continue serving each other and the people in our community through open hearts and open doors. Guide us all, especially our Capital Campaign and Design & Construction Committees and Vestry, as we seek funding and plan expansion of the facilities, including accessibility for all at St. John. Inspire us to share faithfully the love that you have revealed to us through the ministry and sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Give thanks for the life of Ray Rappaport who died on Tuesday; keep his wife Barbara and friends in your prayers.

SAVE THE DATE! On Friday, February 4th, Island-wide Episcopalians are invited to "Come Home for Supper"— a time to share good food & friendship in small groups at the homes of parishioners from each church. Watch for a poster and a sign up sheet at your church. For more info, including details on hosting, please call Rita Redfield 244-4025, Elaine Theriault 244-946l, Dick Salisbury 664-0116, Gail Leiser 288-9083, or Dorothy Clunan 244-5645.

Westside Food Pantry will be open on Sunday, December 19th from 12:00-1:00 p.m. in the Harbor House.

Festival on Main Street in Northeast Harbor, Friday, December 10th starting at 5 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at the Northeast Pole, decorations abound, the Bonfire is lighted, and cheer fills the air. Delicious home-made soups are on sale at the museum. Come to the Parish Hall between 3 and 6 PM to view crèches from around the world and Gingerbread Houses made by the Sunday school children. Donations go to the Campfire Coalition to keep our neighbors warm.

Contemplative Prayer/Book Study isled by The Rev. Patricia Robertson, on Wednessdays from 5 to 6:15 pm at the Somesville Meeting House,Parish Hall. In addition to prayer, we will be learning about the contemplative perspective and life through reading interesting authors. Conversation begins at 5 pm and Contemplative Prayer (chanting, silence and prayer) at 5:45 pm. This study/prayer group is open to anyone interested, so bring your friends.

St. Saviour's Parish:

A Service for Rememberingon Friday, December 10th at 5:00 PM in the Rectory Common Library. During the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the wonder of child birth, the gathering of family and the miracle of child-like joy can touch us deeply and also hit a raw spot. For many of us, this is a hard time when we remember those who are not with us to celebrate. We are not alone; and unless we need to be, we do not have to be alone. All are invited to celebrate the Eucharist with the special intention of thanking God for the lives of loved ones and asking God to comfort those who are grieving and those whose children have died before them. Such losses change life forever. We seek a way to remember and to go forward. We have a need to embrace grief and hope. If you have lost a child or someone else, if you feel deep emptiness, I hope that you will find time to sit still and to be embraced by God's care. Please come if you can, and pray for those who have died, for all who grieve and for those who have lost a child.

Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas, December 19, 10:00 a.m. This service, modeled on the one from King's College, will include 9 lessons with appropriate carols and several anthems. This is a "Singers' Service," full of both treasured music from the past as well as music written as recent as last year. It is a meaningful event and a blessed way to begin the week before Christmas.

St. John's:

The church office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-2:30. If you have questions or need assistance at other times, please call Ted Fletcher (244-3115) or Ann Cox Halkett (288-5832).

Church of Our Father:

Sisters on a Journey, Mondays at 5:30pm., is a monthly program for all women who want to share food, fellowship and prayer. Gathering for the potluck meal begins at 5:30pm with the program beginning about 7pm. All women are invited. For more information contact Sharon Linscott at 288-9304.

Bar Harbor UCC

Their Annual Living Nativity will be held on the church steps on Wednesday, December 15th and Thursday, December 16th from 6pm to 7:20 pm.

Guided meditation group meets in the library at 2:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings at 7:00. On the fourth Wednesday of each month we will meet at 6:00 PM. Please join us if you have a desire to study Scripture more closely and learn some positive techniques for relaxation.

Bullets from the November 18 Vestry Meeting:

· A special parish meeting is set for December 12 to consider changes to the by-laws.

·The Nominating Committee (Ann Cox Halkett, Ida Smallidge, and Joan Bromage) is asking members of the parish with an interest in serving on the vestry to contact them. You may also nominate others.

·Barbara Campbell needs to resign as chairman of the Westside Food Pantry by the first of the year to accompany husband Mark to the Mayo Clinic for a medical work-up. Ongoing leadership will emerge from the Food Pantry board, but Barbara deserves accolades for her outstanding tenure.

·After consultation with the altar guild and flower arrangers, we will move ahead with a new sink and faucets for the sacristy.

Stewardship Campaign:"Our thanks to all who have already contributed to the stewardship campaign and helped us reach $85,820 in pledges for 2011. But there are still 16 parishioners yet to pledge. Are you one of them?"

Christmas Flowers: St. John's will be decorating the sanctuary for Christmas. If you would like to make a donation in honor of or in memory of friends or relatives, please send your checks along with the names you wish to remember to the church office. (Please designate "Christmas Flowers" on your check.)

Common Good Soup is offering free lunches and musical entertainment on Thursdays at noon. Island Connections will try to provide rides for seniors and the disabled who'd like to attend.

Gracious God, we offer thanks for our parish, for your inspiration, and for the spirit of ministry which is our heritage. We acknowledge your call to continue serving each other and the people in our community through open hearts and open doors. Guide us all, especially our Capital Campaign and Design & Construction Committees and Vestry, as we seek funding and plan expansion of the facilities, including accessibility for all at St. John. Inspire us to share faithfully the love that you have revealed to us through the ministry and sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.